Laurel seen in distance (4)
I believe the answer is:
stan
'laurel' is the definition.
(comedian Stan Laurel is an example)
'in distance' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates a hidden word.
'STAN' is hidden within 'distance'.
'seen' is the link.
(Other definitions for stan that I've seen before include "One of the comic duo" , "Laurel perhaps" , "- Laurel, comedian" , "- Laurel, Hardy's partner" , "- Getz, jazz musician" .)